Underestimated power of inner silence

No, but I do take rest when my muscles need recovery time, which is essential for improving my perfomance, it will actually hurt my swimming ability
if I don't take time to rest, also swimming is a more intuitive thing since I don't think when I swim, at least not in the English language lol.

YOU DONT ARE THE BODY NOR MIND FORGET THE MATERIAL PLANE AND MATERIAL KNOW OF AGREE CONFIRM KNOW YOUR SELF TRUE NATURE OF INTUITION AND INSTINTIVE
PLANE AND KNOW AND SUBCONSCIOUS INCONSCIOUS THOUGHTS OF YOUR SELF TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR SELF TRUE NATURE OF INTUITION INSTINTIVE THE MATERIAL CATCH
US AND LOCK US IN AGREE CONFIRM THAT MAKE US DONT KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR SELF TRUE NATURE AND SUBCONSCIOUS INCONSCIOUS THOUGHTS OF YOUR SELF TRUE NATURE
OF INTUITION INSTINTIVE TO BE MORE CONFIDENT WITH YOUR SELF TO CHANGE TO TRANSCEND AND KNOW MORE TO WHAT WE THINK THAT KNOW IN MATERIAL PLANE ABOUT
YOUR SELF TRUE NATURE TO CHANGE TO TRANSCEND

Thinking occurs in the moment and is an act of nature. In no way is it possible to live outside the moment or outside of nature—so why not just do
that? To limit thinking is an ego-based attempt to limit nature and one of the very faculties of our observation.

Well the fact is the same: you don't understand exactly what I'm trying to say.

Thinking can be seen as an act of nature, yes.
But the opposite is also true.

You realize we are the 'only' living thing on this planet that think as much as we do, right?
Animals, plants, trees, insects, etc, in brief nature itselfs, doesn't have to think. They only live in the moment of now. Surprisingly enough for you
they couldn't be more close to nature than that.

So your point doesn't prove a thing. I suspect you didn't actually read with an open mind what I wrote earlier because you'd have at least questionned
yourself and your opinions on this subject. I didn't talk about limiting thought process, I talked about learning how to control them in a way they
will become less abundant and more conscious. This is even more important today where people will think constantly about useless matters. Most waste
their time regretting the past or fearing the future. Besides, this is one of the main reason why anxiety disorders and depressions are becoming so
common. Filtering our thoughts and learning how to do introspection have become so meaningless that people will just accumulate all sorts of negative
energy and wait till one day everything explode to the surface.

This isn't an ego-based attempt like you stated, because ego wants specifically us to believe that overthinking is the normal conditioning of humans.
Getting out of this conditioning is the first step towards a spiritual awakening - the realisation that we are MUCH more than a limited mental
perception.

I'm not making this up and I don't take any credits for it: the most conscious people on this planet have been talking about this for a very long
time. I'm surprised you don't even acknowledge there is some powerful truth to what I'm saying. I respect your view but I sincerely believe that maybe
you should reconsider the way you approach this subject.

Well the fact is the same: you don't understand exactly what I'm trying to say.

Thinking can be seen as an act of nature, yes.
But the opposite is also true.

You realize we are the 'only' living thing on this planet that think as much as we do, right?
Animals, plants, trees, insects, etc, in brief nature itselfs, doesn't have to think. They only live in the moment of now. Surprisingly enough for
you they couldn't be more close to nature than that.

So your point doesn't prove a thing. I suspect you didn't actually read with an open mind what I wrote earlier because you'd have at least
questionned yourself and your opinions on this subject. I didn't talk about limiting thought process, I talked about learning how to control them in
a way they will become less abundant and more conscious. This is even more important today where people will think constantly about useless matters.
Most waste their time regretting the past or fearing the future. Besides, this is one of the main reason why anxiety disorders and depressions are
becoming so common. Filtering our thoughts and learning how to do introspection have become so meaningless that people will just accumulate all sorts
of negative energy and wait till one day everything explode to the surface.

This isn't an ego-based attempt like you stated, because ego wants specifically us to believe that overthinking is the normal conditioning of humans.
Getting out of this conditioning is the first step towards a spiritual awakening - the realisation that we are MUCH more than a limited mental
perception.

I do understand what you are saying, and I disagree with it. There is nothing wrong with that.

Nature itself does think; we are proof of that. Why should we silence her?

Filtering thoughts and introspection are acts of thinking, not acts of silencing the mind. I am arguing that instead of trying to not think, that we
can simply change the content of what we think about by thinking better. Focusing on the bodily senses is quite easy. Noticing what goes on around us
is as simple as opening the eyes. If one learns how to think, one will be noticing better, rather than attempting to sweep one of his faculties under
the carpet. Instead, it is about focus, while utilizing the entirety of one’s being. The principle “don’t use it, you lose it” applies here.

I just started meditating regularly about two months ago, and I've experienced some rather profound effects in that short time.

Anxiety and depression, which I've dealt with for about 20 years with varying degrees of success, are at an all-time low. Virtually non-existent.

I have developed an almost continuous feeling of calm and well-being, at times nearing a state of (I know it sounds made up, but it isn't) bliss.

Distressing thoughts about the past and future, as well as emotions such as anger and frustration, have all but disappeared.

I'm able to think, read, work and relate to other people with unprecedented mental clarity and efficiency.

Overall it's been a big improvement in my life, almost like a spiritual awakening - though I've never been religious. Never would have guessed one's
mind could change so dramatically in such a short period of time with so little effort.

Well the fact is the same: you don't understand exactly what I'm trying to say.

Thinking can be seen as an act of nature, yes.
But the opposite is also true.

You realize we are the 'only' living thing on this planet that think as much as we do, right?
Animals, plants, trees, insects, etc, in brief nature itselfs, doesn't have to think. They only live in the moment of now. Surprisingly enough for you
they couldn't be more close to nature than that.

So your point doesn't prove a thing. I suspect you didn't actually read with an open mind what I wrote earlier because you'd have at least questionned
yourself and your opinions on this subject. I didn't talk about limiting thought process, I talked about learning how to control them in a way they
will become less abundant and more conscious. This is even more important today where people will think constantly about useless matters. Most waste
their time regretting the past or fearing the future. Besides, this is one of the main reason why anxiety disorders and depressions are becoming so
common. Filtering our thoughts and learning how to do introspection have become so meaningless that people will just accumulate all sorts of negative
energy and wait till one day everything explode to the surface.

This isn't an ego-based attempt like you stated, because ego wants specifically us to believe that overthinking is the normal conditioning of humans.
Getting out of this conditioning is the first step towards a spiritual awakening - the realisation that we are MUCH more than a limited mental
perception.

I do understand what you are saying, and I disagree with it. There is nothing wrong with that.

Nature itself does think; we are proof of that. Why should we silence her?

Filtering thoughts and introspection are acts of thinking, not acts of silencing the mind. I am arguing that instead of trying to not think, that we
can simply change the content of what we think about by thinking better. Focusing on the bodily senses is quite easy. Noticing what goes on around us
is as simple as opening the eyes. If one learns how to think, one will be noticing better, rather than attempting to sweep one of his faculties under
the carpet. Instead, it is about focus, while utilizing the entirety of one’s being. The principle “don’t use it, you lose it” applies here.

YOU DONT ARE BODY NOR MIND USE YOUR SELF TRUE NATURE OF INTUITION INSTINTIVE PLANE AND KNOW TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR SELF AND INCONSCIOUS SUBCONSCIOUS
THOUGHTS OF YOUR SELF TRUE NATURE TO CHANGE TO TRANSCEND

THE MATERIAL PLANE AND MATERIAL KNOW IS THE AGREE CONFIRM THAT LACK US TO NOT KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR TRUE SELF
USE THE INTUITION AND INSTINTIVE PLANE AND KNOW AND OF YOUR TRUE SELF SUBCONSCIOUS INCONSCIOUS THOUGHTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR SELF AND KNOW OF
YOUR TRUE SELF

TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR SELF AND CHANGE AND TRANSCEND
IN INTUITION AND INSTINTIVE PLANE AND KNOW OF YOUR TRUE SELF AND SUBCONSCIOUS INCONSCIOUS THOUGHTS OF YOUR TRUE SELF TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR SELF AND
TO WHAT YOUR TRUE SELF THINK THAT KNOW
IN MATERIAL PLANE AND KNOW

USE YOUR SELF TRUE NATURE OF INTUITION INSTINTIVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR SELF WITH SUBCONSCIOUS INCONSCIOUS THOUGHTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR SELF AND
TO WHAT YOUR TRUE SELF THINK THAT KNOW IN MATERIAL PLANE AND KNOW

CHANGE TRANSCEND CHANGE TRANSCEND YOU DONT ARE THE BODY NOR THE MIND THE MIND IS VERY DISTANT THE MIND DOES BY ITSELF KNOW YOUR SELF TRUE NATURE OF
INTUITION INSTINTIVE PLANE AND KNOW YOU DONT ARE THE BODY NOR MIND CHANGE TRANSCEND CHANGE TRANSCEND CHANGE TRANSCEND YOU DONT ARE THE BODY NOR
MIND

Follow this exercise: Just as a lioness patiently waits and watches out for her prey, patiently wait and watch out for thoughts that arise within your
mind as well. Now, at this very moment close your eyes, and observe the first, second and the third thought that enters your mind in that order. Do it
right now...

You will observe that no thoughts arose as you waited. When one is aware and alert within the present moment, thoughts do not arise. In this space of
awareness, your "presence" is heightened consciousness; thoughtless awareness; pure BEing.

zazen
I just started meditating regularly about two months ago, and I've experienced some rather profound effects in that short time.

Anxiety and depression, which I've dealt with for about 20 years with varying degrees of success, are at an all-time low. Virtually
non-existent.

Its amazing what it can do for those things.

Overall it's been a big improvement in my life, almost like a spiritual awakening - though I've never been religious. Never would have guessed
one's mind could change so dramatically in such a short period of time with so little effort.

You have just started on what will, undoubtedly, be quite the journey! You will have many "special" moments, but its in realizing what ties them all
together, continuously, where one attains our baseline state.

Ideally, meditation is carried out mindfully and all the time. When we are able to sit, we can focus a bit more on growing. Kind of like a work out,
in my eyes. What we perceive as "this," and what we perceive of our very being, is quite limited. Most of the time, in this modern age, it seems
like it is mostly comprised of thoughts based on words (which I find interesting, but thats a different topic). However, the true dynamics of what is
happening even just in our own body, is beyond our comprehension. Luckily, these things seem to be able to do their own thing without us having to
think about it all the time.

What we can do is grow our mindfulness to continuously include awareness of these different facets. This is why things like breathing
exercises are a common practice. Once you can become aware of an entirely different source of perspective outside of thinking, its like learning a
new language. This can be done with every part of who we are (mind, heart, lungs, smell, sound, etc). But, going too far too fast is like running a
marathon when you havent exercised in decades, and getting frustrated will only hinder the process.

It also seems that there is more to who we are than what is generally perceived to be our "body." But, in ALL of these things, its not so much about
becoming something you were not, or "gaining" anything. Its about learning who you have been all along, and I think thats important.

What we can do is grow our mindfulness to continuously include awareness of these different facets. This is why things like breathing exercises are a
common practice. Once you can become aware of an entirely different source of perspective outside of thinking, its like learning a new language. This
can be done with every part of who we are (mind, heart, lungs, smell, sound, etc).

This is basically what this thread is all about.

While focussing on more inner-driven aspects of life, like breathing, smelling, sound, etc, one can feel an immediate contact with his being by
experiencing hidden realities deep within himself. Realities that are immutable in time and space.

Most of the times this exercice will calm down the mind because it's basic purpose is to think and comprehend and it can't fully comprehend these
realities, therefore leaving more space to experience true serenity and peace in the mind.

Frequent silence in the mind is possible and greatly healthy for an individual.

While focussing on more inner-driven aspects of life, like breathing, smelling, sound, etc, one can feel an immediate contact with his being by
experiencing hidden realities deep within himself. Realities that are immutable in time and space.

I do not view them as "inner-driven" so much as equal parts of the same whole. I dont think there is anything hidden other than what we choose to
hide.

Most of the times this exercice will calm down the mind because it's basic purpose is to think and comprehend and it can't fully comprehend
these realities, therefore leaving more space to experience true serenity and peace in the mind.

Frequent silence in the mind is possible and greatly healthy for an individual.

True serenity and peace, as well as silence, are continuously present in the mind. Beyond that, they are continuously present in ALL of the aspects
of our being beyond the simplicity of our mind. My post was pointing to experiencing the silence and the "noise" simultaneously and ALL of
the time.

It was also about learning perspectives other than the mind. And in that, we find the thread of stillness that is woven into the fabric of
everything.

I do not view them as "inner-driven" so much as equal parts of the same whole. I dont think there is anything hidden other than what we choose to
hide.

You are right about this. But you've also got to keep in mind that most of the things presented in this thread are ignored, intentionally or not, by a
lot of people nowadays. They will keep their mind busy by thinking about what they want, what they don't, what they have, what they don't etc, and
never get to experience the true beauty of life. You cannot truly appreciate life for what it is if you're only driven by thoughts based on ego
perception. Ego always want more and will never be satisfied with what it has. We can easily see this with hollywood's stars and politicians.

True serenity and peace, as well as silence, are continuously present in the mind. Beyond that, they are continuously present in ALL of the aspects of
our being beyond the simplicity of our mind. My post was pointing to experiencing the silence and the "noise" simultaneously and ALL of the time.

Yes, they are continuously present everywhere around us, even in the mind. However, when one individual is overthinking and being absorbed in this
infinite spiral of thoughts, he will loose contact with these inner realities. They are always present but that doesn't mean we are always consciously
experiencing them. When you're thinking about what you're gonna buy next week or what you should have done in a particular situation in the past, I
highly doubt you will be observing life through eyes of serenity and acceptation. My point is that today, in this world of materialism, where we can
have everything we want in an instant, mankind have come to a point where they are always thinking about the past and the future and rarely in
the moment of now. They don't take the time to appreciate what they have and will immediately think about 'What's next' or 'What could have been'.

How could you be in complete connection to life if you reject the core of what it is?

Of course, this is a generalization but that's just to show my point.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying thinking is either bad or good, I'm simply stating that the actual mental state of most people in this world is
biased because they are completely identified to this thought process and rarely get to experience peace and silence in the mind. They don't know they
can actually have a control over it and that in the end we are much more than that.

No wonder there are so many new mental diseases declared every year. Anxiety disorder and depressions are two of the best examples of how people have
lost control of their mind and emotions.

Just to be clear, I posted a specific response to a specific poster. Zazen appears to be someone who could appreciate a bit of light on the path.

The ego will be present until your body dies. It is also present, validly. By denying it, we deny part of existence itself.

Really, it all comes down to how one defines "self." One could be the most selfish being in the world, but their acts could appear as nothing other
than pure selflessness. If one views all as self, then selfishness is natural though it will be carried out differently.

However, it can be a bit of a trap to go simply from one experience to the other (such as with only finding silence during "exercises"). We can
open up the boundaries of our perspective by simultaneously being aware of both the silence and the noise, not just one or the other.

It is available to anyone and everyone, right here and now. Its who we are, and always have been. The only thing that sees things a bit differently
is our perspective, but in realizing its limitations, it becomes easier to see how things can truly co-dependently arise not just in our own bodies,
but with every-thing present.

Well I'm not talking about denying ego, in fact I'm saying the complete opposite.

We have to acknowledge the power it has on the mind in order to start working on ourselves. People will always talk loudly about how they want to
change, but when it comes to doing it, they will most likely fail. They just can't fully realize what's the main source of the problem.

Now, I completely agree with all you've been saying although, in the end, my point is still valid.

A mind free of thoughts for several minutes is possible and healthy for an individual. The action of observing life for what it is instead
of what they mind wants it to be like.

To achieve inner silence, we must chase away the thoughts that compete for our attention,
yet be fully present in the moment.

I have found, kneeling, which creates a bit of pain, and chanting "Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō" while visualizing a body of still water, keeps the thoughts
away and my self present.
Funny, how the slight discomfort, seems to have a powerful influence in the clarification.
The chanting takes care of your breathing, and also generates a calming resonance within the space your are in.

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